Why is the Bombay High Court intervening in the Maratha quota protests?

Mumbai, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Bombay High Court has raised concerns regarding the Maharashtra government's breach of its previous directive that limited protests to Azad Maidan. In response, the court has mandated measures to prevent additional supporters of the Maratha quota from entering the city.

Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Gautam A. Ankhad have granted the government a two-day extension to restore order, which has been disrupted by the chaotic protests and large assemblies of Maratha quota advocates in Mumbai.

This directive was issued during a special session addressing a petition submitted by the Amy Foundation, coinciding with the ongoing four-day hunger strike led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil.

The petition highlights public disturbances caused by congestion and the overwhelming presence of protesters in the city, asserting that the influx of thousands of supporters is creating significant traffic disruptions.

During the proceedings, the judges were shown footage of protesters celebrating at a traffic signal, leading them to question the attorney representing the Maratha Community: “Are you aware that your group has become unmanageable?”

“Could you please advise the activists to remain within Azad Maidan?” the court urged.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the state, confirmed that the government is committed to resolving the issue and is not evading its obligations.

Previously, a petition was lodged challenging the police's approval for Jarange-Patil to conduct a hunger strike in Mumbai for one day, which was subsequently extended.

On Monday, Jarange-Patil declared he would cease water consumption until the state enacts Maratha reservation under the OBC category, advocating for a 10 percent quota for Marathas.

By Monday morning, a significant number of pro-Maratha reservation activists and supporters of Jarange-Patil began to converge at Azad Maidan, causing extensive traffic delays on routes connecting southern Mumbai from the eastern express highway and Atal Setu.

In light of the influx, the Mumbai Police issued a traffic advisory on X, stating, “We sincerely apologize for the disruption faced by Mumbaikars as their travel towards South Mumbai has been affected due to the large number of individuals and vehicles entering the city for the ongoing protest. We have made every effort to minimize the inconvenience.”

Last week, the court recommended relocating the protest site to the Kharghar area of Navi Mumbai.

According to sources from the police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, all routes leading to Mumbai CSMT and the municipality will be closed to traffic.

Vehicles approaching Mumbai via the JJ Flyover will be permitted to proceed via the Mumbai Police Commissionerate and subsequently via Metro Junction or Churchgate Station. The road from Metro Junction towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) near the main entrance of Azad Maidan will also be closed.